American Library Association

Shhhh! The American Library Association (ALA) is a not-for-profit that works to develop, promote, and improve Library and information services. Governed by an elected council, the ALA works with libraries of all types, from public to academic to prison. The more than 66,000-member organization consists of 11 divisions, as well as affiliated organizations and chapters in all 50 states, all working to advance ALA causes, such as Banned Books Week, an annual event promoting awareness about efforts to ban certain books from libraries. The ALA\'s Washington, DC office tries to influence federal legislative policy to ensure the public\'s right to free access to information. The group was founded in 1876.